#Americans #Blacks
I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
I got to leave this town. It’s a lonesome place. Got to leave this town cause It’s a lonesome place. A po’, po’ boy can’t
Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long—headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
Now dreams Are not available To the dreamers, Nor songs To the singers.
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.
Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill
That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are w… Her bandage hides two festering so… That once perhaps were eyes.
I play it cool I dig all jive. That's the reason I stay alive. My motto
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.
I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black fac… And this is what I see: This fenced—off narrow space Assigned to me.
I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
